Missouri transportation construction program approved

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission recently approved a new five-year transportation construction program that totals about $6.5 billion.

The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP, identifies all transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies for fiscal years 2008 through 2012 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2012).

The STIP consists of more than 770 highway and bridge projects, and funding for aviation, railroads, waterways and public transportation. The STIP includes $5.06 billion for highway and bridge projects, $760 million for other modes of transportation and $700 million for city and county transportation programs.

Missouri Department of Transportation Director Pete Rahn said the program has three goals: to finish planned road and bridge projects as promised, to improve the condition of major roads and repair or replace more than 800 bridges statewide.

After five years, the funding will drop significantly.

"We go from a construction program totaling $1.23 billion in 2008 to an annual program of $569 million beginning in 2010," Rahn said in a statement.